By supporting Bard, you are directly impacting the future of countless individuals who are eager to make a difference in the world. From innovative research projects that have gained national attention to community initiatives that have made a significant impact locally, Bard students continually demonstrate incredible tenacity and heart. Their passion not only inspires their peers and educators but also enhances the prestige of the College as a place where future leaders are nurtured.
Changing One Life at a Time
An education holds transformative power, impacting not only the lives of current students, but also influencing faculty, alumni/ae, and the broader community. It serves as a foundational tool for growth, development, and empowerment, shaping individuals and the world around them. Share your story of impact with us.
Transform Lives through Education: Support Bard Student Scholarships and make a difference today!
Transform Lives through Education: Support Bard Student Scholarships and make a difference today!
A Bard Scholar Feature
Breaking Boundaries: Fatemeh's Journey through Art at Bard
Growing up in a place where girls were often discouraged from pursuing education, I always felt a spark within me—a deep curiosity and an unwavering desire to learn, create, and explore the world through my own lens. While society expected me to focus solely on marriage, I dreamed of something different, something that allowed me to express my individuality and my passion for art. I found that passion nurtured at Bard College, where my studies in Studio Art have truly transformed my life. The vibrant Bard community values individuality, critical thinking, and creative freedom, encouraging me to grow both as an artist and as a person. Diving into history, exploring archives, and observing old objects not only inspires my art but also connects me with the past, allowing me to draw deeper meanings from my experiences.
Current Undergraduate Scholars
Education provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen fields. Beyond academics, it nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, helping students build a strong foundation for both personal and professional growth. Through access to diverse perspectives and innovative learning, students develop a broader worldview, emotional intelligence, and leadership abilities that enable them to adapt in an ever-evolving society.
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Aaron '29Hometown: Taipei
Major: Violin Performance and EconomicsHi, my name is Aaron. As an international student from Taiwan at Bard College and Conservatory, I am truly grateful for the inclusive atmosphere that defines this community. Bard offers a unique opportunity for me to engage with courses across various disciplines, an experience that is not only enriching but also essential for my development as a musician.Aaron '29
Hi, my name is Aaron. As an international student from Taiwan at Bard College and Conservatory, I am truly grateful for the inclusive atmosphere that defines this community. Bard offers a unique opportunity for me to engage with courses across various disciplines, an experience that is not only enriching but also essential for my development as a musician.
The ability to gain insights from different fields has significantly deepened my musical understanding and interpretation.
Pursuing a double degree as a violinist while studying economics, I have the privilege of learning under the guidance of renowned faculty such as Carmit Zori, the founder of the Brooklyn Chamber Music Society. My journey in music began early; I started piano at age five and took up the violin at six, discovering a profound passion for musical expression along the way.
Prior to coming to Bard, I consistently excelled academically in Taiwan, earning accolades like the Mayor’s Award, the Principal’s Award, and scholarships throughout my education. My dedication led me to be the top-ranked violin major at the National Taiwan Normal University, where I also received offers from prestigious institutions such as the New England Conservatory and the Peabody Institute with generous scholarships. As an active performer, I have had the honor of gracing stages like the National Concert Hall and CHIMEI Museum Concert Hall, and participating in international music festivals such as TMAF and the Enlightenment Summer Music Festival.
In addition to my violin studies, my strong foundation in piano and music theory allows me to engage with music comprehensively. My economics coursework further broadens my perspective, enhancing my understanding of the interconnectedness of art and society. Bard College and Conservatory has truly become a home for me, providing an environment where my passions for music and academics can thrive together. -
Arghawan ’26Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
Major: Psychology and EconomicsHi, I’m Arghawan a senior at Bard College majoring in Psychology and Economics. I’m originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, and my journey has been quite a transformative one since I arrived here as a refugee.Arghawan ’26
Hi, I’m Arghawan a senior at Bard College majoring in Psychology and Economics. I’m originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, and my journey has been quite a transformative one since I arrived here as a refugee.
Growing up, I dreamt of becoming a neurosurgeon, but I now find myself immersed in the world of economics, analyzing supply and demand graphs instead of wielding scalpels! Bard is an incredibly special place to me, not just because of the education, but because of the supportive community. The professors here are extraordinary; their passion for teaching makes learning enjoyable and inspiring, creating conversations that I will cherish long after I finish my studies. I am actively involved in student government as part of the Educational Policies Committee, and I co-lead Resilient Voices, a club dedicated to empowering refugee and displaced women through storytelling projects. I also work in various roles on campus, including as a BRAVE Counselor and a Language Center Assistant, all while pursuing internships related to my interests. I’m fluent in Persian and English and have a keen interest in behavioral economics, poetry, and building inclusive communities. After Bard, I plan to explore various fields, including finance, consulting, and public policy, before pursuing a graduate degree. Ultimately, my goal is to teach at the college level, where I can inspire the next generation and help others in their pursuit of knowledge. Arghawan '26 -
Brendan '26Hometown: Hudson, NY
Major: Theater and PerformanceMy name is Brendan, and I am a Bard Baccalaureate student in cohort four! I grew up just 15 minutes outside of Hudson, NY, at a place called Camphill Triform. What's special to me about Bard is the Bard Baccalaureate scholarship, which allows adults to earn a bachelor's degree.Brendan '26
My name is Brendan, and I am a Bard Baccalaureate student in cohort four! I grew up just 15 minutes outside of Hudson, NY, at a place called Camphill Triform. What's special to me about Bard is the Bard Baccalaureate scholarship, which allows adults to earn a bachelor's degree.
BardBac offers a supportive and inspiring environment to help you navigate learning and thinking, and determine what needs to happen to make your college experience worthwhile. After high school, I worked for many years in a factory producing fermented foods, including sauerkraut and hot sauce. I grew up in an intentional community for young adults with special needs. It was like a college with a focus on farming, gardening, weaving, pottery, bakery, and home economics. I have always wanted to act, and now I'm doing so at Bard. -
Brigit '27Hometown: Havertown, PA
Major: Political StudiesHello, my name is Brigit! I'm currently a third-year student at Bard, hailing from the Philadelphia area (Go Birds!). My major is politics, and I’m truly passionate about the program here. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into an extensive array of authors and topics within the political realm.Brigit '27
Hello, my name is Brigit! I'm currently a third-year student at Bard, hailing from the Philadelphia area (Go Birds!). My major is politics, and I’m truly passionate about the program here. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into an extensive array of authors and topics within the political realm.
I greatly appreciate how Bard professors consistently highlight perspectives that are often overlooked in mainstream political discourse. My time at Bard has profoundly reshaped my understanding of politics and political theory. Additionally, I have a concentration in Irish and Celtic studies, primarily because I enjoy taking Irish literature classes. The beauty of the liberal arts model here is that it allows me to explore these diverse interests and even integrate them with my major whenever possible. A fun tidbit about me: I practiced Vaganova-style ballet for fifteen years, and I could probably still manage a mediocre pirouette if the occasion arises! -
Clarise '26Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Major: Written Arts: PoetryHi, I’m Clarise, and I'm majoring in Written Arts with a German Studies concentration. I grew up in Denver but spent my childhood summers in a small seaside town outside Galway, which has deeply influenced my understanding of cultural and environmental differences.
Clarise '26
Hi, I’m Clarise, and I'm majoring in Written Arts with a German Studies concentration. I grew up in Denver but spent my childhood summers in a small seaside town outside Galway, which has deeply influenced my understanding of cultural and environmental differences.
Being at Bard, surrounded by the enchanting woods and river, provides me with endless inspiration for my poetry as I reflect on my place within the broader narrative of the land. I’m Editor-in-Chief of the literary magazine, Feeding the Crows, in addition to working at the Bard Learning Commons as a Writing Fellow. In both positions, I enjoy supporting people as they write and free their voices into the world. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the donors who support Bard College. Your generosity helps turn academic dreams into reality, allowing me to explore my passion for poetry. The legacy of your support is truly invaluable, and I look forward to what the future holds! With gratitude, Clarise '26 -
Fredrick '28Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Major: Viola Performance and ArchitectureHi, I'm Fredrick, an international student from Kenya, currently in my third year at Bard. One of the most unique aspects of Bard is the opportunity it gives me to pursue two majors that I love.Fredrick '28
Hi, I'm Fredrick, an international student from Kenya, currently in my third year at Bard. One of the most unique aspects of Bard is the opportunity it gives me to pursue two majors that I love.
This is not just about my education; it's about making a difference back home, where I can apply what I learn to create positive change in my community. What truly inspired me to attend Bard was the incredible faculty. Their unwavering support and encouragement made me feel at home, despite being over 10,000 miles away. It's a welcoming environment that fosters learning and growth. My favorite thing about Bard so far has been the diversity. The chance to interact with students from various parts of the world has broadened my perspective. I get to see the world through different lenses, which enriches my experience here immensely.
Looking ahead, I aspire to become an architect. I want to design spaces in my community that I never had the opportunity to access. I envision creating environments that enhance lives and foster connection. Receiving a scholarship to attend Bard means so much to me. It serves as a powerful reminder that hard work pays off and that everything I've ever dreamed of is attainable. I am grateful for the support that pushes me to keep striving for my goals.
Faculty and Staff
Educators are crucial agents of change, and an academic environment allows them to continuously grow and refine their own expertise. Faculty members have the unique privilege of shaping the next generation of leaders and professionals. This creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that their work is making a meaningful difference. Faculty contributions to research and academic discourse help propel advancements, and, through their mentorship, they can help students navigate challenges and realize their potential.
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Jeffrey GibsonArtist in ResidenceJeffrey Gibson (born 1972) is an interdisciplinary artist. A member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, Gibson grew up in major urban centers in the United States, Germany, and Korea. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Claremont Graduate University and the Institute of American Indian Arts. He is currently an artist-in-residence at Bard College.Jeffrey Gibson
Jeffrey Gibson (born 1972) is an interdisciplinary artist. A member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, Gibson grew up in major urban centers in the United States, Germany, and Korea. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Claremont Graduate University and the Institute of American Indian Arts. He is currently an artist-in-residence at Bard College.
Gibson has received many distinguished awards, including a Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant and a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship Award. Gibson also conceived and co-edited the landmark volume An Indigenous Present, which showcases diverse approaches to Indigenous concepts, forms, and media. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Denver Art Museum; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Canada; Portland Art Museum; Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian; and Whitney Museum of American Art, among others.
Jeffrey Gibson's selection represented the United States at the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024. -
Eban GoodsteinDirector of the Bard MBA in SustainabilityDirector of the Bard MBA in Sustainability Eban Goodstein was honored at the United Nations headquarters in New York City as the winner of the PRME (Principles of Responsible Management Education) Educational Leaders Award for 2025. Goodstein was recognized for founding and continuing to lead Bard’s innovative MBA in Sustainability, one of the few graduate programs worldwide that fully integrates a focus on sustainability and mission-driven leadership into a core business curriculum.Eban Goodstein
Director of the Bard MBA in Sustainability Eban Goodstein was honored at the United Nations headquarters in New York City as the winner of the PRME (Principles of Responsible Management Education) Educational Leaders Award for 2025. Goodstein was recognized for founding and continuing to lead Bard’s innovative MBA in Sustainability, one of the few graduate programs worldwide that fully integrates a focus on sustainability and mission-driven leadership into a core business curriculum.
On receiving the Leadership in Education Award, Goodstein acknowledged the program’s faculty and students, saying, “Our teachers are all mission-driven people who work on the cutting edge of business sustainability. They are the engine of our community.” He added that “the faculty are inspired by the creativity and commitment of our students to creating a better world.” PRME works with over 800 business and management schools worldwide to promote the integration of sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education. -
Ivan L. MunueraAssistant Professor Architectural StudiesAssistant Professor of Architectural Studies Ivan L. Munuera will present at the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial. The Biennial showcases architectural projects from across the world and celebrates both global innovation and Chicago’s unique architectural history.Ivan L. Munuera
Assistant Professor of Architectural Studies Ivan L. Munuera will present at the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial. The Biennial showcases architectural projects from across the world and celebrates both global innovation and Chicago’s unique architectural history.
The theme of this year’s Biennial, marking its 10th anniversary, is SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change. Munuera will participate alongside the design studio TAKK and will address his engagement with experimental, critical, and socially attuned design practices.
Munuera’s research focuses on modern technology and bodily practices as reflected in architecture. His research has been supported by the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies and the Canadian Centre for Architecture and published in Log, The Architect’s Newspaper, and El País, among others. Past works include his project Your Restroom Is a Battleground, the film Unzipped Parties. Open? for the Venice Architectural Biennial, and the film The Transscalar Architecture of COVID-19. -
Pavlina R. TchernevaPresident of the Levy Economics InstituteTcherneva, who first joined the Levy Institute in 1997 as a forecasting fellow, has been a scholar at the Institute since 2007, specializing in modern money and public policy was named the new President of the Levy Economics Institute.
Pavlina R. Tcherneva
Tcherneva, who first joined the Levy Institute in 1997 as a forecasting fellow, has been a scholar at the Institute since 2007, specializing in modern money and public policy was named the new President of the Levy Economics Institute.
“I am honored and energized to take this new role and am grateful to Dimitri Papadimitriou for building a world-class institution that has influenced economic policy in the US and abroad. I am especially excited to support the work of my colleagues whose research has placed the Levy Institute among the most-cited non-profits in the world,” stated Tcherneva.
“My mission is clear: to continue to curate cutting-edge research, grow our graduate programs, and amplify the Institute's impact on policy. We have produced some of the most influential work on financial instability, money, inequality, gender, and employment policy and we will continue to make these impacts and expand the Institute's reach.”
She added, “Our work matters. Financial markets crash. Mainstream theories fail. At the Levy Economics Institute, we will continue to do what we do best: make sense of the senseless, find patterns in the chaos of global economics, and produce actionable policies for a safe, sustainable, and stable economy.”
Since 1986, the Levy Institute and its scholars have reinvigorated heterodox economics, with contributions to macroeconomic theory, modeling, and policy targeting financial and economic stability for the US economy and the rest of the world. The Levy Institute has also developed a distinct research program on the distribution of income and wealth featuring two measures of economic well-being (LIMEW) and time and income poverty (LIMTIP) that will help shift official measures of living standards in the years ahead; is one of few institutions with a focus on gender equality and the economy; and has graduated scholars from its MA and MS degree programs in Economic Theory and Policy, who go on to play significant roles in economic think tanks, international organizations, governments, and the world of finance.
A Recent Bard Alumni/ae Feature
Recent Graduate Reflection: Embracing Growth and Opportunity
Hello! My name is Sabina ’25, and I am a recent graduate from Bard College, where I earned a double degree in Economics and Global & International Studies, with a minor in Finance. I was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, and my journey to Bard was both thrilling and transformative. Growing up in Romania, I attended public schools and often felt constrained by an education system that prioritized memorization over critical thinking. I yearned for a college experience that would not only provide me with knowledge but also teach me how to engage critically with the world around me. I wanted to break free from conventional tracks like law, engineering, or medicine, which are typically seen as the best paths for financial success in my home country. When I arrived at Bard, the transition was significant, but it was exactly what I had hoped for.
Bard Alumni/ae Feature
Reflections on Transformation: Anna Fink ’94 Shares Her Bard Journey
I came to Bard in 1992, three years after the dismantling of communism in Poland, as a PIE student (Program in International Education, launched at Bard in 1991). I was two years through my university studies (English studies and American Culture) and freshly graduated from the Conservatory of Music with my professional diploma in piano in hand—little did I expect the lasting impact Bard would have on my life and those dear to me.
Alumni/ae Stories
For many alumni/ae, getting a Bard education was a gateway to career opportunities, personal success, and lifelong connections. The knowledge gained during their time at Bard provides them with the tools necessary to excel in their professions, but the impact doesn’t stop there. Many alumni/ae maintain strong ties to Bard, contributing back in various forms, whether through philanthropy, mentoring students, or offering career guidance. Bard alumni/ae also become part of a global network of individuals with shared experiences. This network can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and friendships long after graduation.
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Sonita Alizadeh ’23An inspirational story of resilience and courage. Sonita Alizadeh ’23, Bard College alumna and human rights activist, has released a memoir chronicling how she avoided child marriage twice, escaped Afghanistan to pursue her dreams, and evolved into a woman who is changing the world. Born under Taliban rule, Alizadeh faced the threat of child marriage at the ages of 10 and 16, before finding her voice through music.Sonita Alizadeh ’23
An inspirational story of resilience and courage. Sonita Alizadeh ’23, Bard College alumna and human rights activist, has released a memoir chronicling how she avoided child marriage twice, escaped Afghanistan to pursue her dreams, and evolved into a woman who is changing the world. Born under Taliban rule, Alizadeh faced the threat of child marriage at the ages of 10 and 16, before finding her voice through music.
She has since performed on global stages and collaborated with artists and organisations that share her mission, and has addressed world leaders and worked with NGOs such as the UN, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to push for change.
In Sonita: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom, she shares incredible highlights of her life, like winning the songwriting contest that gave her the opportunity of a lifetime, as well as harrowing chapters, like when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and how some of her family escaped while others were left behind.
Read More in the Adobo Magazine Profile of Sonita Alizadeh ’23
Photo: Sonita Alizadeh ’23, Bard College alumna and human rights activist. -
Jessica Mah SR ’06Jessica Mah SR ’06, an entrepreneur and alumna of Simon's Rock at Bard College, was profiled in a piece by the San Francisco Examiner, which looks back on her history of exploring and building businesses, from when she was a young teenager through her latest venture.Jessica Mah SR ’06
Jessica Mah SR ’06, an entrepreneur and alumna of Simon's Rock at Bard College, was profiled in a piece by the San Francisco Examiner, which looks back on her history of exploring and building businesses, from when she was a young teenager through her latest venture.
Her first major breakthrough came in 2009 when she cofounded the software inDinero to make accounting and financial management accessible for small businesses, and then again in 2012 when she was named as one of Forbes’s 30 Under 30 in the Enterprise Technology category. She later embarked on projects such as internshipIN, a platform that aimed to connect employers and aspiring interns, and Mahway, a women-led investment firm created to build world-changing companies. “Mah’s story is proof that the entrepreneurial path is open to anyone willing to think differently and persevere,” writes the Examiner. “She’s shown time and time again that early ideas can blossom into industry-shaking companies and that true innovators never stop building.”
Read More in the San Francisco Examiner -
Hancy Maxis ’15Hancy Maxis ’15, Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) alumnus, spoke with the Hechinger Report about the role that learning math played in his life upon his release. He recalls considering the question of, “Once I am back in New York City, once I am back in the economy, how will I be marketable? For me, math was that pathway.” Maxis completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, where he wrote his senior project about how to use game theory to advance health care equity.Hancy Maxis ’15
Hancy Maxis ’15, Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) alumnus, spoke with the Hechinger Report about the role that learning math played in his life upon his release. He recalls considering the question of, “Once I am back in New York City, once I am back in the economy, how will I be marketable? For me, math was that pathway.” Maxis completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, where he wrote his senior project about how to use game theory to advance health care equity.
Maxis later completed a master’s program at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and is now the assistant director of operations at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, where he worked to guide the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Vladimir Nahitchevansky ’15Bard alumnus Vladimir Nahitchevansky ’15 was featured in the Albany Times-Union which covered his small press, 1080 Press, based in Kingston. Working closely with individual artists, Nahitchevansky has printed works by Richard Hell, Fred Moten, and Bernadette Mayer as well as several Bard alumni/ae.
Vladimir Nahitchevansky ’15
Bard alumnus Vladimir Nahitchevansky ’15 was featured in the Albany Times-Union which covered his small press, 1080 Press, based in Kingston. Working closely with individual artists, Nahitchevansky has printed works by Richard Hell, Fred Moten, and Bernadette Mayer as well as several Bard alumni/ae.
His printings focus on adding human touches, which he describes as “an object rife with error and chance and happy coincidences and mistakes. When you open them, you feel like there was a deep sense of thinking behind each component.”
Nahitchevansky established 1080 Press in 2022 after many years of making printed matter on his own. When he graduated from Bard’s Written Arts program, he worked at small presses throughout New York. He eventually started the print house from his apartment and began mailing out physical, printed newsletters to patrons. He sees this process as what small presses are truly about: “You use the space that you have, you start out printing your friends, then you expand out of that space.”
Read the Profile in the Times Union -
Tschabalala Self ’12Tschabalala Self '12 is a New Haven–based painter whose work is concerned with the iconographic significance of the Black female body in contemporary culture and uses methods usually relegated to outsider art. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bard in 2012 and a master in fine arts degree from the Yale School of the Arts.
Tschabalala Self ’12
Tschabalala Self '12 is a New Haven–based painter whose work is concerned with the iconographic significance of the Black female body in contemporary culture and uses methods usually relegated to outsider art. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bard in 2012 and a master in fine arts degree from the Yale School of the Arts.
Her work is in public collections including the Aïshti Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon; Art Institute of Chicago; Brooklyn Museum, California African American Museum, Los Angeles; Emdash Foundation, London, UK; ICA Boston; JPMorgan Chase Art Collection, New York; Luma Foundation, Zurich; Philadelphia Museum of Art; and Studio Museum in Harlem.
She has held residencies at, among others, the Studio Museum; Liquitex Work-Residence, London; T293 Work Residency, Naples, Italy; La Brea Studio Residency, Los Angeles, and Fountainhead Residence, Rome, Italy. Recent solo exhibitions include Cotton Mouth, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, New York City; Thigh High, Pilar Corrias Gallery, London; Tschabalala Self, Frye Art Museum, Seattle, and Art Omi, Ghent, New York; Bodega Run, Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, and Yuz Museum, Shanghai; and at venues in London, Glasgow, Naples, and Berlin. She has been part of group exhibitions at institutions throughout the United States and internationally, including Long Beach Museum of Art; Haus der Kunst, Munich; Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw; Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco; North Carolina Museum of Art; and MoMA PS1. She has been featured in articles in Teen Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Times, Vanity Fair, Elle France, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times, among others. An article at Christies.com noted that her “radical works depicting black female forms are breathing new life into figurative art.”
Read in TheWrap
Photo: Tschabalala Self. Photo by Paula Virta -
Sasha Skochilenko ’17Sasha Skochilenko ’17, artist, musician, and former political prisoner, talks about her experience studying anthropology at Smolny College of Saint Petersburg State University and how her liberal arts education strengthened her antiwar position, which was reflected in her courtroom speech “Oh yes, life!” on the value of life and reconciliation amidst war and conflict, and helped her to survive her imprisonment.Sasha Skochilenko ’17
Sasha Skochilenko ’17, artist, musician, and former political prisoner, talks about her experience studying anthropology at Smolny College of Saint Petersburg State University and how her liberal arts education strengthened her antiwar position, which was reflected in her courtroom speech “Oh yes, life!” on the value of life and reconciliation amidst war and conflict, and helped her to survive her imprisonment.
The conversation, held on April 7 at Bard College Berlin, was moderated by Ilya Kalinin, Skochilenko’s former professor and supervisor at Smolny College, currently a Smolny Beyond Borders fellow and Einstein fellow at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Skochilenko, who was born in Leningrad, openly opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was subsequently detained by riot police and later arrested in 2022 for spreading pacifist leaflets under the accusation of “spreading knowingly false information about Russian Armed Forces.” During her imprisonment, she started an “Imprisoned for Peace” performance and participated in exhibitions of prison art. Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in a penal colony. On August 1, 2024, Skochilenko was released in Ankara as part of a complex international prisoner exchange, having spent more than two years in prison. She currently lives in Germany.
Beyond her activism, she published the educational comic A Book About Depression (2014), which quickly became a Russian internet sensation and helped to destigmatize mental health issues in Russia. She also founded the antihierarchical musical collective “Free Random Jam.” Skochilenko will receive Bard’s Laszlo Z. Bito Award for Humanitarian Service in 2025 for her activism and bravery in the face of repression, imprisonment, and adversity.
Further reading:
“Case Study on Sasha Skochilenko: Anti-War Russian Political Prisoner,” prepared by Bard Human Rights major (and former student at Smolny College) Sofia Semenova
Bard and Smolny College Graduate Released from Russia in Historic Prisoner Swap
Photo by Chris Kayden
Tell Us Your Story of Impact
What impact has Bard had on your life?